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Safety Protocols

Safety Protocols

At PACT Charter School, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families are paramount. Our comprehensive safety protocols, developed with local partners, ensure secure, prepared, and confident learning environments for all.

A student stands at a reception desk, interacting with a staff member.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can learn and thrive. To achieve this, we collaborate closely with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency responders to ensure our campuses are prepared.

Students and staff regularly participate in safety drills, including lockdowns, fire evacuations, and severe weather procedures, to ensure they can respond quickly and calmly in emergencies. Each campus also has its own crisis team, in addition to a district-wide team. The district-wide team comprises trained professionals who coordinate and support the crisis teams at each campus, ensuring a unified and effective response during emergencies.

While some details cannot be shared publicly for security reasons, here are the most important things families need to know:

Standard Response Protocolsicons of standard response

PACT utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from the I Love U Guys Foundation, which is used in over 45,000 schools, agencies, and organizations worldwide. This ensures we respond clearly and consistently in any emergency.

 

Here’s what each response means:

Hold – “In your room or area. Clear the halls.”
Hallways are cleared, and students and staff stay in classrooms. Used for medical or minor issues in the hallway.

Secure – “Get inside. Lock outside doors.”
Outside doors are locked. No one can enter or leave the building. Used to prevent threats from outside the school.

Lockdown – “Locks, lights, out of sight.”
Everyone hides quietly inside classrooms with the lights off and phones silenced. If they are near an exit, they may leave the school and find a safe place to hide away from the building. This is used in response to possible threats inside the building. Law enforcement will decide when it is safe to release students and staff.

Evacuate – “Move to the announced location.”
Students and staff evacuate the building and go to a designated safe location. Used in emergencies such as fires or gas leaks.

Shelter – “Used for severe weather.”
Everyone proceeds to the designated shelter areas inside the building.

  • Hold – “In your room or area. Clear the halls.”
    Hallways are cleared, and students and staff stay in classrooms. Used for medical or minor issues in the hallway.

  • Secure – “Get inside. Lock outside doors.”
    Outside doors are locked. No one can enter or leave the building. Used to prevent threats from outside the school.

  • Lockdown – “Locks, lights, out of sight.”
    Everyone hides quietly inside classrooms with the lights off and phones silenced. If they are near an exit, they may leave the school and find a safe place to hide away from the building. This is used in response to possible threats inside the building. Law enforcement will decide when it is safe to release students and staff.

  • Evacuate – “Move to the announced location.”
    Students and staff evacuate the building and go to a designated safe location. Used in emergencies such as fires or gas leaks.

  • Shelter – “Used for severe weather.”
    Everyone proceeds to the designated shelter areas inside the building.

Communication Protocols

PACT’s communication protocols are designed to ensure clarity, preparedness, and trust before, during, and after safety situations. We use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to provide a common language for students, staff, families, and first responders. Communication is proactive and ongoing through training, drills, and regular reminders, and becomes timely and direct during an incident. ParentSquare serves as our primary platform for alerts and updates, with additional methods such as text or phone calls used for more urgent situations. Messages are clear, factual, and focused on what families need to know, with follow-up communication provided as appropriate. By communicating transparently and consistently, PACT helps families understand what to expect and reinforces that safety is a shared responsibility across our school community.

 

Learn More About Emergency Communication

What families should know about building safety.

  • All doors are locked during the school day.
  • Visitors must enter through the front office, show a photo ID, and wear a visitor badge at all times.
  • Schools may deny entry for safety or behavioral concerns.
  • No visitors are allowed during safety drills or emergencies.

What parents can do in an emergency.

If there is an incident at the school:

  • We will send important updates to families and staff via email and text as soon as the information becomes available. Please ensure that your contact details are up to date in Infinite Campus. 
  • Check the district website and official social media for updates.
  • Do not call the school – staff will be focused on managing the situation.
  • Do not go to the school unless instructed – it could block emergency responders.
  • Do not share unverified information on social media – only share updates from the district. Sharing unverified information can cause unnecessary panic and confusion. We are committed to providing accurate and timely updates during emergencies.

Thank you for helping us keep PACT safe. 

Together, we create a school community where students can learn, grow, and succeed with confidence. If you have any questions, please reach out to your building principal — we’re always here to support you.